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Terrorism Effecting on Tourism in New York: One Man's Loss is Another Man's Gain?

Terrorism Effecting on Tourism in New York: One Man's Loss is Another Man's Gain?
Author: Otto Aleksi Poikolainen
1 Commentries
New York has a long and diverse history which includes various eras for example being the Dutch Colony and being surrendered to English after that period of time. The metropolis of New York City is the nerve centre of the nation. It is a leader in manufacturing, commerce, banking, foreign trade, book and magazine publishing and theatrical production.

Federal Bureau of Investigations, Department of State and Department of Defense all have different definitions for terrorism. The world of today makes it sometimes difficult to overcome certain analytical hurdles before arriving at a definition of terrorism. What is right and what is wrong and who is actually capable of distinguishing between legitimacy in different kind of situations? Who can be considered to be civilians? Are humans the main target? Ideologies, politics and power seem to make it difficult to create a global consensus for a definition.

United States of America has a long history of groups and organizations committing terrorist attacks. During the time of 1970 - 2007 only 6.5% of attacks with known perpetrators were committed by individuals whereas 93.5 were committed by groups and organizations. There has been a slight change in these proportions after 1995 Oklahoma City terrorist attack. Since then 33% of the attacks were conducted by individuals.

At the same time when the targets of terrorist attacks have been varying under the last 40 years also the spending on safety and security has gone through amendments. Terrorist attacks on businesses in New York are making 36% of 1970 - 2007 attacks. Certain type of foreign aid was increasing right after 9/11 attacks. According to The Center for American Progress there has been an increase of 0.1 percent of GDP in security spending. This means that the amount spended on security after 2001 is larger than the direct costs imposed by the 9/11 attacks. Despite of the rise on security related spending it is crucial to keep in mind how this additional spending can also be seen as a response on terrorism. This is because the Iraq war seems to absorb approximately 0.6 percent of America's GDP and obviously the Iraq war would not have happened without the terrorist attacks on World Trade Center on September 11th in 2001.

The airport security has tightened their safety precautions substantially along with other transportation modes. After 9/11 nearly every mass transit system around Ground Zero was prepared to help. Overwhelming sympathy and generosity was astonishing. The response by the mass transit systems demonstrated that they were capable of making quick decisions and they were well prepared and flexible in extreme events such as 9/11.

Agencies have re-evaluated their safety and security procedures and many steps have been taken in order to respond to the demand for safety and security. Technology has made it easier to ensure safety in transportation although for instance trains and buses are highly vulnerable to terrorist attacks as many incidents taken place around the world where the these modes of transportation have been used in terrorist bombings for example. Nevertheless the importance of training and educating employees to situations where worse comes to worst is still the most important part of preventing attacks and extenuating the consequences.

Although terrorism always causes great misery, loss, desperation and deprivation there are always two sides to every story no matter how cruel it might sound especially in this specific context. As tourism is very resilient and adaptable industry the devastation of terrorism and for instance natural disasters can become major tourist attractions. Some travellers are keen to explore historical battlefields or scenes of horror or death.

It is astonishing to realise that more than three million visitors are expected to view the crater this year where as 1.8 million visitors used to go up to the World Trade Center's observation deck annually. Earlier tourist officials had difficulties of attracting visitors to Lower Manhattan but at the moment Ground Zero is rivalling the Statue of Liberty for visitor numbers.

The Arrival of tourists has of course created tension with victims' families but on the other hand tour operators argue that visits to the site have helped people to understand the extent of the attacks and mourn those who were killed in the attacks.

It is almost inevitable that one group is going to be left disappointed because Ground Zero has two very different roles to fulfil. This also separates designers because the area is one of the most significant piece of real estate in a city which desperately needs to get business going and at the same time it is a graveyard of over thousand victims of a crude terror attack.



References

Beutel, A. (2007). Breach of Law, Breach of Security: A Muslim American Analysis of US Counterterrorism Policies. Available: http://www.minaret.org/breach.pdf. Last accessed 16th Apr 2013.

Korstanje, M. (2012). Tourism and terrorism: conflictsand commonalities. In: Korstanje, M. and Clayton, A. Tourism and Terrorism, commonalities and diferencies. 4th ed. Bingley: Emerald Group Publishing Limited. p8-25.


Tarr, R. (2005). Intermodal Transportation Safety and Security Issues: Training against Terrorism. Available: http://www.nctr.usf.edu/jpt/pdf/JPT%208-4S%20Tarr.pdf. Last accessed 29th Apr 2013.

Commentry
Author: Lotta Pauliina Ruuskanen
I decided to comment this paper since I find 9/11 attacks to have great impact of tourism not just in New York but in the hole world. New York is also extremely important destination for tourists and business travellers. I also find it interesting how the negative effects or fears people might have are reduced because it have already been more than ten years after the attack and this specific terrorist attack has also possitive impacts on tourism.

In the paper one of the positive impacts of this 9/11 attacks to New York is tourism increasing at the lower parts of Manhattan, I have not thought it before that there may not be that many tourists in lower Manhattan because it is mainly focused on business. I started to think if there is some other positive effects as well because the Ground zero, formerly World Trade Center builgings are now a tourist sight or attraction itself. And I need to admit that without the new history of World Trade Center boming attact I might have passed the financial centrum in New York and focus for some other parts and attractions. However did you considerd or find from your references that there might also be other possitive effects among the fact that tourist officials get more visitors to the area? Has they probably improved the business area to suit better for needs of tourists. Like offering more restaurants and other tourists facilities. Or is it still that people are affraid to come to New York in case there has already happened that many terrorist attacks and still might happen.

Although the security related spendings have increased after 9/11 it also shows tourists that even though this horrible incident has happened, is New York prepare for the future to ensure something like 9/11 attack does not happen again. These new security regulation are extending also to other countries outside America. Which is making travelling safer, including everything from air travel to sleeping in a hotel.